KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Righthander Doug Fister, who signed a $7 million free-agent contract with the Astros late last month, will start the Grapefruit League opener against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., on Thursday.

Fister is competing with Scott Feldman and Mike Fiers for one of two open rotation spots. Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, 19-game winner Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers are locked into the first three spots.

"I want to get a good look at him," manager A.J. Hinch said of Fister. "We're going to have six or seven guys actually start games, maybe eight depending on how we handle the minor league versus major league outings. … It made sense to have our newest guy kick us off so we can get into competition with him."

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The Astros' and Cardinals' home openers will not have the sentencing of Chris Correa as a backdrop.

Correa, the former Cardinals executive who pleaded guilty to hacking the Astros' database, was initially to be sentenced in Houston on April 11, the day the Astros and St. Louis begin their 2016 home schedules.

Now the Astros can enjoy the pomp without sharing a news cycle with the perp. U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes has moved Correa's sentencing to 1:30 p.m. April 18, per an order dated Feb. 19. The Astros are off April 18, while the Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs in St. Louis.

Correa is to be sentenced on five felony counts, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

200 IP possible for McCullers

It's increasingly less common for pitchers to throw 200 innings. But if Lance McCullers is to reach that threshold in his sophomore season, it'll likely be because the Astros are deep in the playoffs and McCullers is still making starts in late October.

"Workload - we're going to pay attention to it," manager A.J. Hinch said. "I think it's important for us to understand how unique it is for pitchers to get into the upper 180, 190, 200 range, which always seems to be the number pitchers strive for."

There were 36 major league pitchers who threw 190 innings or more in the 2015 regular season. The number goes to 39 if the playoffs are included.

McCullers last year threw 164 innings among the minors, majors and postseason. A skipped start at some point in 2016 is on the table, but part of the reason the Astros are starting his camp more slowly is to save his arm on the front end of the year.

Hoyt catches Hinch's eye

Righthander James Hoyt, 29, drew praise after his live batting practice session Sunday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium.

"He's coming to camp with really good form," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He's got a really good breaking ball, a really good split. His arm strength is up. He didn't play as much winter ball. He had an exceptional second half at Triple-A."

Hoyt, who got a tutorial on the splitter last week from Roger Clemens, was 0-1 with a 3.49 ERA over 49 innings in 47 relief outings at Class AAA Fresno last season.

Cotts hopinghe can help

Veteran lefthander Neal Cotts, a non-roster invitee who reported to camp Saturday, finally settled into the Astros' clubhouse with his teammates Sunday morning. Cotts, who signed a minor league deal Friday, is competing for a bullpen spot.

"(The Astros mentioned) things that they think they can tinker (with) here and there that can help me and hopefully help them," Cotts, 35, said. "The team is good. If I work hard and I'm fortunate to be able to break with this team, then I'll be in a great situation."